Understanding: Louis Vuitton Date Codes

14 Jun

A quick little guide on how to read Louis Vuitton Date Codes.

The first thing to be aware of is a date code is not a unique serial number. Multiple other bags will made in the same week and year that your bag is, and therefore will have the same date code. So, you cannot authenticate your bag by the date code alone. But, it does go a long way to helping spot a fake!

Questions to ask yourself:

-Does the country code match the ‘made in …’ embossed onto the bag. If it doesn’t step away…

-What does the patina (colour) of the Vachetta leather (the leather trim & handles) look like? Is the date code early 80s… but the leather is pink just like a new bag? Big red flag (unless you know it has been restored and had parts replaced).

-If the date code is hidden behind a pocket, or stamped on the interior of the bag the patina will have developed at a lesser rate (i.e be pinker than the bags exterior leather). This is because its been shielded from oils and sunlight.

-Does the date code make any sense or is it just random numbers?

-MOST IMPORTANT. Is it a legitimate date code but it should be for a bag from 2020 not a vintage 1980s.

-Where is the date code placed? Does it match where it should be for that style bag?